Opinion

Letter to the Editor: Action for Solar Energy Needed

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By RILEY MONTGOMERY
Albuquerque

Do you want your children or future grandchildren growing up in Coal-buquerque, New Mexico? As a New Mexico native, I know first-hand that New Mexico is one of the sunniest states in the U.S. – in fact, New Mexico has 300 sunny days a year.

The solar industry has increased its job growth by 19.9 percent by providing more than 23,000 jobs since September 2012; that is more than 10 times the national employment growth rate, which increased a measly 1.9 percent. The increase in solar power jobs makes New Mexicans rely less on fossil fuels.

This comes as good news Read More

Letter to the Editor: Aspen Ridge a Great Place to Call Home

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By ROBERT (BOB) ELLIOTT

I think until you have lived or worked in an area for a while you cannot truly know the quality of what it has to offer. I have lived at Aspen Ridge Lodge in Los Alamos for eight months. In that entire time, I have experienced only wonderful care and observed great professionalism by all of their staff at all levels: management, dining staff, custodial staff, nursing and care staff, activities staff and transportation staff. I have never once observed or experienced the slightest bit of negative attitude, neglect, or mistreatment by any member of the staff toward anyone, regardless Read More

Sanchez: Give Credit Where Credit is Due on Education Reform

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Give Credit Where Credit is Due on Education Reform
By Sen. Michael Sanchez, D-Bernalillo & Valencia

Last year, high school graduation rates in New Mexico improved 10 percent over recent historic rates, from the low 60 percent range up to 70 percent.

 
For the second year in a row, Hispanic New Mexican students enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) classes have the highest completion and graduation rates of all AP students in the country.

These are fantastic developments that are justly lauded, and which the current governor is rightly touting – for which she is incorrectly taking credit.

Read More

Yang: HR, or No HR? That is the Question … for Some

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HR, or No HR? That is the Question … for Some
By ELENA YANG

“Thank you” following action on a simple request, and “No problem” comes the reply. Whenever I get such a response, my internal voice says, “I didn’t realize it was a problem.” Yes, I can be picky about choice of words. It’s the combination of the logic center of my mind and my heightened sensitivity resulting from “English as my second language.” Of course, I wouldn’t really want to nitpick these taken-for-granted exchanges, which bear no consequences. However, regarding other more common terms, we might make a case for the impact of their Read More

Letter to the Editor: Pajarito Mountain – Moving Forward Toward Positive Outcomes

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By BECKY WECHSLER OERTEL
Los Alamos Ski Club

On Tuesday, Feb. 4, the Los Alamos Ski Club (LASC) Board of Directors held a special membership meeting to inform members and bring about a vote to transfer all or part of the Club’s assets (Pajarito Ski Area) to Los Alamos County or another third party. Unfortunately, the voting resolution was not seen by the members until just minutes before the vote was called. In addition, other potential options have yet to be discussed openly.

I respect and appreciate the significant efforts made by the LASC Board to assess options and discuss the issue with some Read More

Letter to the Editor: Community Invited to Rotary’s 5th Annual Crab Fest

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By LINDA HULL, immediate past president
Rotary Club of Los Alamos

Ahoy, Los Alamos! It’s time for Rotary’s 5th Annual Crab Fest! You are all cordially invited: Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Knights of Columbus Hall on the corner of Trinity Drive and DP Road. 

This all-you-can-eat crab and prawn dinner, our Club’s biggest fundraiser of the year, is served family-style with coleslaw, beans, rolls, dessert and beverages. (Chicken will be available for those who prefer it.) The cash bar opens at 5:30 p.m., dinner, primarily prepared by Blue Window Bistro, will be served at 7 p.m. with help from members Read More

Letter to the Editor: Employment Rising With the Sun

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Employment Rising With the Sun
By TYLER SCHUTTE
Los Alamos

One thing that doesn’t rise as consistently as the sun is our employment rate. The solar energy industry could help to change that though, because like the sun each morning, jobs in the solar industry are on the rise.

The solar industry has added over 20,000 jobs since November 2012, a 19.9 percent increase, which is more than 10 times the national employment growth rate of 1.9 percent. The best part about these jobs that are being created is that most of them are paid a living wage! Right now New Mexico is ranked 10th in the nation for solar jobs
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Letter to the Editor: A Step In The Right Direction!

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KayLinda Crawford
Los Alamos

Thank you Councilors for recently passing the new property maintenance standards for Los Alamos! As a new resident who moved to Los Alamos from Austin, Texas about 18-months ago, I feel new property maintenance standards are badly needed and your passage of this measure is a first step in the right direction for this community.

I appreciated how Council Vice-Chair Kristin Henderson stepped up and explained in plain English why the measure is good for Los Alamos. I agree with her that improving our personal properties in Los Alamos is a step in the right direction toward Read More

Letter to the Editor: Funding Sound Wall Maintenance Questioned

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By JOEL M. WILLIAMS
Los Alamos

The artistic renditions of the “Great Eastern Area Wall” into town along N.M. 502 are finally available for Los Alamos citizens to ponder. The wall will provide some relief for the homes that abut East Drive. The wall is being funded ($655,000 appropriated) by Los Alamos County because such a wall is not justified for state and federal funding (based on federal and state noise guidelines.) I have not heard what the maintenance costs would be, nor whether they have even been determined.

According to the County Dept. of Public Works website, “Staff Read More

Education 101: Community Values And K-12 Funding Decisions

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Education 101:
Community Values And K-12 Funding Decisions
By Save Our Schools Los Alamos

The role of a school board, like any elected body from the County Council to the Congress, is to provide leadership and to make decisions within its scope of responsibility; decisions that are consistent with the priorities and values of the stakeholders it serves. 

Because constituencies often have divergent values and priorities, that’s a significant challenge for any elected body or individual elected official. When the issues are complicated, feedback from constituents is usually limited Read More